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April 10, 2012

My Before & After Pics for over 25 Foundations!

Hello, Beautiful!

One of the most common questions I get asked via email is what foundation I'd recommend. Seeing as how I have a LOT of flaws to cover, and the fact that I have over 50 foundations in my makeup drawers right now, I know my way around foundation. I decided to make an easy reference post to show all the foundations I've reviewed on my blog up to this date (starting way back in September 2010). I'm only listing those that include before & after pics, since that seems to be most helpful to my readers. There are also a couple tinted moisturizers/BB Creams thrown into the mix too. Over 25 products in this one post to compare!

This post will be simple; I'll list the brand and foundation name - which will be linked to the blog post all about that foundation. Under the foundation name I'll show my before and after pics. If you want to see and read more about any particular foundation all you have to do is click the name of that foundation and it will take you to that blog post. They are right now in order from newly posted to the older posts.

I'll probably make an updated post like this in the future after I review even more foundations. As always, please let me know if you have any questions. I'm always happy to help! Enjoy looking at all my many flaws, lol. On a side note, you can see how much better my skin has gotten - even though it's gone through some really, really rough patches, lol.

Wow, thank you sososo much for this! My skin is a lot like yours. From a quick look I'd say that Lancome foundation is the most amazing! That no-foundation foundation and "miracle" skin transformer looked the same on me (yuck, not enough coverage, so disappointing!)but I was lucky my skin got on better with the Boscia BB cream.

@ Sarah: It varies for me. I usually just grab whatever brush is clean, lol, but I do try to use my Bare Minerals brush - the typical one that comes with most of the kits. I don't remember the exact name of it. But really, any fluffy brush or tighter fluffy brush works. I use all kinds, lol.

thanks! I can't use the BE brushes since they are made with goat hair, but I decided to try out the Too Faced Retractable Kabuki Brush since I can pull in the hairs for foundation and use it fully open for pressed powders and veils.

Thank you so much for this blog! I was so impressed I put a link to this blog on QVC and many of the women ask if you would consider doing the same thing except using drug store brand foundation. Many were impressed with the Lancome foundation but can not afford its price. Thanks for taking this into consideration!

This is great! I have one question though: did you find that the Lancome Teinte Idol or the Laura Mercier Silk Cream cake up after a while, enhancing any fine lines or wrinkles? That's my biggest concern with foundation... as soon as it dries, it can look fake if it cakes into any facial skin creases... Maybe I don't know how to apply it correctly. I use a cosmetic sponge.

I want to thank you for this post... I have very similar skin and this is extremely helpful in saving me time and money and to be able to see what I will look like (versus a supermodel with picture perfect skin) in each one. I do love having all of them side by side like this and being able to look further into any that interested me. Thank you SO much for all your time spent on this!

Wanted to thank you for this.. I have very similar skin to yours and this is immensely helpful in saving me time & money and being able to see what it would actually look like on me versus a supermodel with picture perfect skin. It is really nice to see them all listed on 1 page and being able to link over to the ones that interested me. Thank you SO much for all your time spent on this!!

@ Anonymous: You asked "Which one is your favorite?" -- My favorite is Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation. I'm on my third tube of it and absolutely love it!

@ Anita: You asked "did you find that the Lancome Teinte Idol or the Laura Mercier Silk Cream cake up after a while, enhancing any fine lines or wrinkles?" --- I use a primer before any foundation, so that certainly helps with how the foundation lays on my skin. But I don't find that they fall into lines or wrinkles. I have pretty deep smile lines, so yes sometimes makeup will get in there if I am talking and smiling a lot but it easily smooths back out if I run my finger over it. I don't apply either of them with a sponge; I prefer to use a flat top brush -- I actually use the e.l.f. Cosmetics Powder Brush. Or I'll even use my fingers if I don't have any clean brushes. I've moved away from using sponges for the most part... except my Beauty Blender, which I do use from time to time.

Absolutely thankful for this post! It's so nice to have it all in one place and more like this to compare different brands/color would be amazing! Thank you so much!! You've given me some ideas for what to try next!

I found this blog by looking for information about the new Lancome Tient Idol Ultra 24 Hour that replaced Tient Idol Ultra. Not a happy camper! The "new and improved" formula is drying and cakey (on me). The one *flaw* I see with this comparison is your face is much clearer in some photos than in others so it stands to reason the makeup would do a better job. The BB cream might have looked a lot better if your before picture was like the Tient Idol example. Interesting tho :)

Hello ! Great post! The Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation in Bamboo Beige looks light in the picture. Is it lighter from Beige Ivory and Medium Ivory ?Maybe Bamboo Beige is my color ? Because i have swatches on both on my hand and i see a slightly green hue on my hand .In winter i am Rose Ivory and i want to buy an other shade for now because i have a little tan from the summer.Thank you for your time and sorry for my English. Big hugs from Greece! Amalia

What do you recommend for my 60 year old skin? It is very dry and I've heard to never use powder again because it creases in aging skin. Foundation seems to not be much better. Any help would be appreciated. PJ

@ PJ Aringdale: I wouldn't use a powder foundation if you have very dry skin, as most powder foundations only make dry skin look drier. I would recommend a cream or liquid foundation. The Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24hr Foundation is a really great place to start, as I find it very natural looking even with the medium to full coverage that it offers. I can also layer it multiple times without it looking cakey. I personally have oily skin (which is actually combo skin in the winter, leaving me with dry patches) and I never have trouble when I use that foundation.

@ Anonymous: I'm glad my blog is helpful, especially this post. I have bad skin -- although SO much better now -- but I am not afraid to show it because I know I'm not the only one out there with bad skin and I think it shows the foundations coverage level so much better.

@ Kat: My acne is caused by hormones/stress. I've never experienced any breakouts from any cosmetic product before, so I'm really not much help there.

As a makeup artist I'm always looking for new foundations to add to my kit and this post is so realistic and helpful! I myself have problem skin and I swear by Laura Mercier Silk Creme and I always use it on clients who have a few blemishes. It looks beautiful on you. I might have to finally get my hands on the Lancome Teint Idol Ultra as well now! x

Crystal, you rock! Super duper cool of you to take the time to share your study with us! Someone mentioned they would have liked to see all photos shot from the same distance. I gotta tell you, as I ventured down your post, from one trial to the next, I was pretty amazed by the fact that the photos were all virtual carbon copies of the others, in terms of distance, angle and lighting. I'm with Anonymous, this sorta thing is a lot of work ... and you did good! If there are similar posts, trying other products in your future, (hope so!) I wouldnt change a thing! Liz, Riverside, CA

Last few times I went into the MAC store and, knew the salespeople were wrong and, ended up walking out with what they 'sold' me because, I felt they were looking down at me of how I can't put on makeup...anyways, I have red undertones which are now more evident so, my foundation is starting not to cover anymore...before, I never wore makeup so of course my pore are noticeable now too (not to big but, ugh)... I am now going to buy the lancome one as it is gorgeous on you!!! And, if it can cover you it can cover me (my red veins, blue veins, acne is uncoverable like in your other pics and, I always thought it was just me but, it's not us..it's the product)!!! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH for posting all of this and, really saving us all money ahhaha lancome should give you $ for giving them such great sales :) you are the best and, I will now check out more reviews :)

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